Paving machine



July 7, 1953 c. A. LOWE PAVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1946 INVENTOR CLAAENCE A. L 0w:

W rim/KM;

5 6 ATTORNEY July 7, 1953 Filed Jan. 29, 1946 C. A. LOWE PAVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CLARENCE A. Law:

A TORNEY July 7, 1953 Filed Jan. 29, 1946 C. A. LOWE PAVING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. '9

lNVENTOR CLARENCE A. L ow Wit/ ORNEY July 7, 1953 Filed Jan. 29, 1946 c. A. LOWE 2,644,379

PAVING MACHINE INVENTOR CLARENCE L0 WE ilmwa,

.ATTORNEY Patented July 7, 1953 [Qumran STATES PATENT OFFICEFIY' PAVING MACHINE Clarence A. Lowe, Columbus, Ohio Application January 29, 1946, Serial No. 644,071

8 Claims.

. l The invention described in this application relates to a paving machine and specifically to such apparatus especially useful for compressing paving material after the surface has been laid. Heretofore it has been usual to use a heavy roller for the purpose of compressing paving material. Reliance has heretofore been placed almost wholly upon the weight of the roller for producing the desired effect. By reason of the great weight of such rollers, considerable power is necessary to move the roller over the surface to be compressed. I'have devised a machine capable'of being operated by a relatively low powered gasoline motor assisted by a relatively slight physicaleffort' on the part of the operator. In my improved machine compression of the paving material is accomplished by a jumping or pounding movement of the contact element or shoe so that the paving material is tamped into place instead of being rolled into place by a'relatively heavy roller. While attempts have heretofore been made to devise such a machine, no one has, so far as I am aware, devised'a machine capable of eificient operation.

One of the objects of my invention therefore is the provision of a paving machine'of relatively lightweight capable of being by a single operator assisted by a relatively low powered engine.

A further object of my inventionis the provision of a practical paving machine capable of compressingpaving materialby a t'amping or pounding action.

Afurther object of my invention is the provision of means for operating such a tamping device through .theco-operation of a rotatably mounted weight moving in an eccentric path and a'prime mover.

. A further object of my invention isthe provision'of means for heating efficiently a contact element of a tamping device through the exhaust gases of a gasoline motor' used to operate the tamping device. V V

A'further object'of my invention is to provide improved means for easily moving such a device to places at which it is desired to use it.

, One of the features of myinvention is the provision l'of' a rotatably mounted weight moving, in aneccehtric path which is driven by a relatively low powered gasoline motor so that revolving. of the weightcauses a jumping action of thema chine and 'causes'the shoe of'the machine to con a t. t e g rm in a se i of s .o mps ivi g,ai'm din a A 'furtherfeature of my invention is 'masigh I 2 I of the shoe so that the exhaust gases from the gasoline motor pass efliciently into and through the shoe andthus the shoe is heated efficiently at the point at which it contacts with the paving material. This heating aids in setting the material by reason of the fact that the material is heated at the sametime that it is pounded into place. I A further feature of my invention is the specific connection between the driving motor and the eccentric weight.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the subjoined specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings disclosing two embodiments of my invention which are shown and described solely for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawings; Fig. 1 is a view of 'one embodiment mainly in front elevation but having parts broken, away and parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in section taken 7 Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of another I paving machine illustrating a different embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of the machine of Fig. 4, parts having been broken away and parts shown in sectionin order to show further details of construction;

' Fig. 6 is a'view in bottom plan of the machine shcwni'n Figs. 4 and 5; V

Fig. 7 is a view in section of a fragment of the device of Fig. 4, taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6 but showing'the fragment in upright position; I i Fig. 8 is a. view in section of a fragment ofthe device of Fig. 4,.the section being taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 but Fig. 8 showing the fragment in upright position; and

Fig. 9 is a view in section of an alternative for of device similar to that shown in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive, but provided with means-for. adjusting the angle of the contact element.

Referring in detail to the drawings and espegasoline motor |2 having a gasoline supply tank l3, a carburetor Hand other necessary accessories, such'as aspark plug I5 and an exhaust 3 manifold 16. As may be now understood, this gasoline motor and accessories may if desired supply a large portion of the Weight which is required for the tamping action which I use to compress the paving material. The frame H is carried and arranged to be rolled upon pneumatic wheels I! and I8 connected to the carriage H by means of an axle 2|, which is mounted in suitable bearings such as 22 and 23, secured to said carriage H. I

I provide means for tamping the paving material. This means includes a tamping device,

an eccentric weight and a prime mover coop-z crating with the weight for operating the tamp includes a shoe 25 and an upright standard 26. The standard 26 supports a stub shaft 21. The

stub shaft 2'! is driven from the motor l2 and;

while as suggested above. the tamping member 24 and the standard. 26 supports the shaft 27, it is to be. clearly. understood that the. member 24 and standard 26' are not driven or rotatedby the shaft. 21. but. that'th'e shaft 21' rotates freely withinla self aligning bearing unitZB'which is carried by the standardZt'fAs shown, the stub shaft 2'! has. an eccentric weight. 29 formed integrally with it. The weight 29 during operation of. the paving machine is. continuously rotatedby the'r'notor l2.

The stub shaft 21, itself, is provided with grease seals 3i; and 3 2. The. stub. shaft 21 is driven through a flexible coupling33, such as a gear driven b a chain from a crank shaft 34 which is in turn driven by the motor i2. The opposite endof the shaft-34d1ivesa stub. shaft 36 through a. chain coupling 35, the stub shaft 36 carrying an eccentric weight 37 and corresponding substantially to the stub shaft 21:, and the coupling and weight 31 corresponding substantially to the coupling 33- and the. weight 2,9, respectively.

The stub shaft 36 is supported: from the carriage ll through. a self aligning bearing unit (corresponding to the bearing 28-), positioned within a standard: 4|. I a

The couplings 33 and 35,, herein shown, are of the well known type, in. which toothedgsprockets are carried by each shaft 34, 21 and 3.6, there beinga. sprocket at eachendof crankshaft 34. Each of the sprockets has the; same diameter and each has thesame number of teeth- The sprocket, at the left end. of crank shaft 34, as viewed in Fig. l, and=the sprocket. on shaft. 36 form one pair, while the sproclietat the; righ t end, o f shaft 34 andthat. on shaft 2''! form anotherpair. A

chain, similar to a bicycle chain, is wrapped completely about each pair of sprockets, each of the pins of the chain resting between the next adj acent teeth of a sprocket of both pairs of sprockets.

p The. revolving ofthe weights 2'9 and 31, by reason of inertia, causesa periodic jumping up and moving; forward of the member 24. Thus the whole unit including theshoe 25; is carried, up and forward and. then drops down and pounds upon the pavement. I

Itis to be understood that the motor 12 sup,- plies' the motive. force. for causing the jumping of. the machine and thusfor moving it' forward.

Because of the relatively lightweight of the ma chine, about 200 pounds, a relatively small motor is capable of performing this; function. In.

addition; due to the fact that. the machine is de-.

signed to. pound the paving material r'a'ther than. to. roll it, the relatively light. weight machine is capable of producing as satisfactory results as a much heavier roller would produce. The operator is able with relatively small physical effort to control the machine and steer it by means of the handle 20.

It is to be especially noted that the crank shaft 34 is not connected directly to the stub shafts 21 and 36 but that the stub shafts 21 and 36 driven by the shaft 34 by means of the chain couplings 33 and 35. The chain couplings 33 and 35 provide a more or-less'resilient coupling so that the entire shock due to the eccentric rotation of the weight 29 is not transmitted to the crank shaft 34 and to the motor. Moreover, the

chain drive allows a certain degree of misalignment. between the shafts 34 and 21 and in view of the eccentric weight and the self aligning bearing 28, the stub shaft 21 may at times and s isfactory device of this sort inasmuch as the vibration due to the. rotation of the eccentric weight 29 creates strains not. only in the motor. 52 but also. in the shaftsv 27, 34 and 36' such that those parts will soon fatigue and. breaker be.- come inoperative.

, I also provide means by whichthe. shock of the. jumping action is cushioned and is. thus. not transmitted directly to the. operator. Secured to the carriage H as atv 42 is an angle brace 43 having a vertical portion 44 anda. horizontal portion 45. The horizontal portion45 is. securedby a rubber mounting 46 (see Fig. 3) and a. strut 4'! to a half sleeve 48. weldedhto the handle. 20. A similar arrangement including a brace 49,. a. rubber mounting 5.4-, a. strut 52. and a half sleeve 53 is provided on the opposite. side of. the car.- riage. The handlelfl at its. opposite lower ends is secured by rubber mountings'54 and 55 to'the. tamping member 24,-.

. I provide means whereby the contact. element or member of the tamping device is. heated- As will be understood, theshoeiiisthe contact element of the tampingdevi'ce, and? is arranged to. tamp the paving material into place. For the.

purpose; of heatingthe. tamping device, the exhaust gases ofjthe. motor are conducted to the. tamping. member 24. "Tl1us the. exhaust. mani: fold I6 is connected at its lower end to a. tubular. passageway 55 which is; shown inFigs.v l and 2. This tubular passageway is connected, as by an inlet passage. 5-1, with a., relatively large. size space-58 formed adjacent. to: the. lower portion of. the shoe 25. "Theheated gases after flowing. through portions. of the. space 58 may escape through exhaust. ports 59,. Thus this portion of the, shoe isalways. heatedby the exhaust gases. The action of the heat'together with'the. tamping of the shoe causes a more efficient. and: bet ter' setting of the paving material." In order to conserve the heat, I. provide an insulation 60' of asbestos material suitable forthat purpose. and. a further insulation 3|, of rock fwool.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. Mo 8, inclusive, I have shown a support.

or carriage generally designated. IH'. Supported.

such asv III which are carriedby an axle- [21... The tamping device comprisesatampi'ng meme ber -genera1 ly designatedfl fzl iwzhich. carries.v a'

shoe I25 and is provided witha leg I26. The leg supports a stub shaft I21, the stub shaft I21 being driven by the motor H2. The stub shaft I21 rotates freely within the member I24 within a pair of roller bearings I3I and I32, the bearing unit including. these roller bearing being carried by the member I24. The shaft I 21 carriesan eccentric weight"! 29. .The stub shaft I21 is driven through a chain coupling -I33 from a tubular shaft I34 which forms an extension of the crank shaft and is thus driven bythe motor H2; The opposite end of the crank shaft has'a tubular extension whichdrives a stub shaft I36 through a chain coupling I35, the stub shaft I36 carrying an eccentric weight I31. The stub shaft I36 is supported by the carriage III through'a roller bearing unit including bearings I38 and I39,'the unit being mounted in a leg I4I which is supported on the member I24. The .roller bearing units I31, I32, I38 and I39 prevent any lateral or side to side swinging of the stub shafts .I21 and I36. A- handle I20 is connected to the carriage III in a manner similar to that in which the handle 26 of the first embodiment illustrated is connected. A starting crank I40 i also provided. .Theexhaust gases from the motor I I2 are led by a pipe or conduit I6I to a port I62 formed in a lower casting I63 connected to the foot I25.

The port I62 is extended as a bore I64 and forms an outlet port I65 Whichis connected by a pipe 3 I66.having branch pipes 'I61 and I68 which are in turn connected to inlet ports I69 and. I18. The bore I64 is connected by a port I12 with a half round hollow I13 extending throughout the length of the'casting I63. However, partitions I14 and I15 are provided in this casting member I63. Outlet ports I15, I11, I18;and I19 are provided so that the exhaust gases coming fromthe exhaust manifold of the engine, and passing through the pipe I6I into the bore I64 and thence through the port I 12 and'the hollow portion may pass out through the ports I11 and I18. Other portions of the exhaust gasespass throughthe port I65 and thence through the pipe I61, the inlet port I69 and the outlet port I19. Still another portion of the exhaust gases pass throughthe outlet I65, the manifold I68, the inlet port I16, and'out through the port "I 16. The length of the portion of the shaft I34'to the right of the motor II2 counter-balances the 1 extra I weight of the fly wheel I8 I "It will be noted that-in Fig. 3 the line uA-a represents the pavement. In the'position shown, the machine is resting on the wheels I1 and I8 and is held manually'by the operator through the I handle 20. If, by means of the handle 20, the machine is tipped forward onto the wheels I1 and I8, so that the surface b-b rests on the pavement; the wheels I1 and I8 will be raised entirely from the ground, a distance of about.

% of an inch. Such a position (i. e. when the surface b-b is contacting the pavement) is the operatingposition. It will be 'noted thatin this position a line such as c-"c perpendicular to the surface bb passes to the rearwardof the center of gravity of the motor. I2. As shown, this is approximately at an angle. of 7?" from a line such a d-d passing through .ithe. lcenter of gravity. The fact that the center of mass of the motor is ahead of the center of the shoe portion which lies in plane b-'b, said shoeportion main-- tains the wheels I 1 and, I8. off of the ground when the machine is in, operating position. The greater the angle made by the linesc.c, and-d-d,, the,

faster the machine will move forward. inopera-i.

sive, but features of either machine mayibe tion and the smaller the; angleqrthe slower the machine will move forward in. operating as a tamping device. Thus in operation the machine will move at a rate of speed varying: from 5 to 25 is inclined upward from the bearing surface be-b. ,This inclination of the forward endof the shoe 25 is to provide a preliminary treatment for the untamped paving material ahead of the tamping machine, i. -,e.,as the machine moves forward, in order to prevent ridges in the tamped paving material.

Referring now to Fig. 4 it maybe seen that the line a a representing the pavement on which the machine is resting contacts only the rearward end'of the shoe I25. 'Themachine is thusina position in which it is being moved either from the tamping position in which-the surface 12-22 is flush uponthe 'pavementyt the ing position to the tamping position. It will be noted that in this embodiment alsothe line1cc perpendicular to the tamping'surface-b--b is at an angle ,of about '7 from the line dd passing through thecenter of gravity of themotor so that center of gravity of the motor-isahead of the perpendicular line c-c. It will be noted 1 also that the forward end of the shoe I25 forms ened opening 284 being provided. in themember,

225 so as to allow the heated gases to pass from one portion of the shoe to the other. The sur. faces 285 and 286 are formed as-arcs of circles, each having a radius of substantially the same length so that thesesurfaces conform substantially to each other no matter what is the adjustment between them. Slots 281 and @288 lengthwise along the are are provided for the bolts 2 82 and 283 to allow adjustment. It is clear that by this arrangement I am'ablej to adjust the angle of the tamping surfacesoas to increase or decrease as desired the forward movement of the'machine. It is to be understood thatthe machines hown in Figs. 4 to '8 inclusive is a larger and heavier machine than that shown "in'Figs. 1 to 13 'inclu:

incorporated in the other as desired.

It is believed that the operation of the e described embodiments of my invention will understood from the description.- Referringito" Figs. 1 to 3 it may be seenthat by means of the handle 20, an operator may push. the machine wherever desired, rolling it forward upon the.

wheels I1 and I8, in the same manner 'as' a wheelbarrow. When it is desired to tamp a ny paving surface, the motor I2 is started, causing the rotationof the shaft 34 and the stub shaft.-

21. This causes a rotatio'n'of the eccentric weight 29 and causes the tamping unit'24 to jump up and down and pound the pavement, packing the paving material as the machine is moved forward by the jumping movement itself. The heat from the exhaust going into. the foot aids in properly setting the pavement. a

Z The operation of the: device shown in Figs. 4 to 8-, inclusive, is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. The arrangement of the flow of exhaust gases provides for better distributio'n'of heat to. the contact element. Also the disadvantage. of unbalanced weight is avoided; The inclined. roller bearings $1,132; and; 38 and [39 aid the chain couplings I33 and 35 in; eliminating: strains which might unduly fatigue the various shafts.

It is to be' especially notedi that" the eccentric weights in bothembodiments of my invention are notcarried by the bearings of'thegasoline motor, but on the contrary are carried by'separate bearing s and they are connected to the crank shaft of the: gasolinemotor by flexible couplings so that the stresses due to the revolution of the eccentric weight are not. transmitted directly t0 the crank shaft of' the internal combustion motor. In connection with the embodiment of Figs: 4to- 8 inclusive, it may be noted that by means of the supply of exhaustgases to separated ports in the contact member and" separation: of these various portions of the exhaust gases, each to flow in its separate path within the; contact member more even distribution of heat is. possible and the entire contact member is heated. It is also to be noted that in connection with the embodiment shown in Figs. 4

to 8,. inclusive, the stub shaft for the eccentric weight is mounted in a pairof' inclined roller bearings. which take: all of the stresses and prevent oscillation of the stub: shaft longitudinally.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiments of my invention are for the purpose of illustration only and various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for compacting aggregates or paving material comprising a supporting frame, a prime mover mounted on said frame, a tamping member including a shoe adapted to contact the surface to be: compacted and carried by said frame, said shoe having a pivotal connecit forward in a series of jumpingmovements which provide a tamping' action of. said shoe compressing the surface with which. it. comes in contact, the magnitude of the movements of the machine depending upon the position of. said shoe with respect to said prime mover.

' 2. A tamping machine comprising, in combination a tamping shoe; 'a prime .mover including, a rotating shaft, said prime mover being rigid .ly attached to and above the shoe: bearing. support means carried by and above the shoe; shaft means j'ournaled in the bearing support means and arranged in lcngitudina l alignment with the prime mover shaft; flexible connecting means be;-

tween said shaft means and the prime movershaft; eccentric weight means on and actuated by the shaft means, said shoe being relatively narrow with respect to its length forming an elongated substantially flat tamping surface and said prime mover shaft" and said shaftrneans being arranged substantially parallel with the 8, length of said surfacethe center of mass of the aforementioned elementsl carried by; the shoe, lying to one side of a vertical plane perpendicular to said tampi'ng; surface and extending lengthwise of the shoe and. intersecting theshoe at a point midway of the width of said surface.

3.-A tamping machine as defined. in claim. 2 in' which: the prime mover is. an internal combustion engine. having; an exhaust outlet, and: the shoe is formed with a duct havingv an inlet and an. outlet; and an: exhaust: pipe connected. between the exhaust of the internal combustion engine and the: inlet of. the duct for conducting hot exhaust gases to the. shoe.

4. A tampingmachine comprising, in. combination a tamping shoe; a. prime. mover including a rotating shaft saidi prime mover being rigidly attached to and above the shoe; bearing support means carried by and above the shoe; shaft means journaled. in: the bearing support means and arranged. in longitudinal: alignment withthe prime mover' shaft; flexible connecting means between said shaft means and the prime mover shaft"; eccentric. weight means on and actuated by the shaftv means, said shoe being relatively narrow with. respect to its length forming an elongated substantially flat tamping surface and said prime mover shaftv and said shaft means bee ing. arranged substantially parallel with the length of said surface, the; center of mass of the aforementioned elements, carried. by the shoe, lying to one side of a vertical plane" perpendicular to said tamping surface and extending lengthwise of, the shoe and intersecting the shoe at a point midway of the width of said surface; and a handle connected with the machine for guiding the same.

5. A- tamping, machine comprising in combination a shoe having. an elongated and narrow tamping surface; spaced bearing supports arranged. along the length of the shoe and carried by and above the shoe; a separate shaft journaled in each of the bearing supports, the axis of: said shafts being substantially parallel of. the

a length of said. surface; an eccentric weight on each of said shafts; a prime mover including; a rotating shaft, said prime mover being rigidly attached to and above the: shoe, the primemover shaft and. the eccentric shafts being substantially axially aligned; a; flexible coupling between the prime mover shaft and' the eccentric shafts; the center of mass-of. the aforementioned elements, carried by theshoe, lying to one sideot avertical plane perpendicular to said. tamping Surface and. extending lengthwise of the shoe and intersecting the shoe at a. point midway of the Width. of said. surface.

6. A tampingmachine comprising, in combination a tamping shoe; a prime mover including a rotating shaft, said prime. mover being rigid-1y attached to. and above the shoeybearing support means carried by and above the shoe; shaft. means .j ournaled. in the bearing support means and arranged in longitudinal alignment with the prime mover shaft; flexible connecting means between said: shaft means and the prime mover shaft; eccentric weight means on and actuated by the shaft: means; said shoe being relatively narrow withrespect' to its length forming an elongated:substantially fiat tamping surface and said, prime mover shaft and said shaft means being arranged substantially parallel with the length of said surface, the center of mass of the aforementioned elements, carried by the shoe", lying to one side of a vertical plane perpendicular to said tamping surface and extending lengthwise of the shoe and intersecting the shoe at a point midway of the width of said surface; and a handle connected with the machine for guiding the same. 1

7. A tamping machine comprising in combination, an elongated and narrow tamping shoe; a support pivotally mounted on and above the shoe; means for rigidly attaching the support in adjusted position on the shoe; a prime mover including a rotating shaft, said prime mover being rigidly attached to the support above the shoe; bearing means carried by the support and above the shoe; shaft means journaled in the bearing support means and arranged in longitudinal alignment with the prime mover shaft; flexible connecting means between the shaft means and the prime mover shaft; eccentric weight means on and actuated by the shaft means, the axis of said prime mover shaft and said shaft means being arranged substantially parallel with the length of said surface, the center of mass of the aforementioned elements, carried by the shoe, lying to one side of a vertical plane perpendicular to said tamping surface and extending lengthwise of the shoe and 10 intersecting the shoe at a point midway of the width of said surface.

8. A tamping machine as defined in claim 7 in which the prime mover is an internal combustion engine having an exhaust outlet, and the shoe is formed with a duct having an inlet and an outlet; and an exhaust pipe connected between the exhaust outlet of internal combustion engine and the inlet of the duct for conducting hot exhaust gases to the shoe.

CLARENCE A. LOWE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I Date Number Name 1,550,102 Schlueter Aug. 18, 1925 1,657,727 Stubbs Jan. 31, 1928 1,819,866 Cameron Aug. 18, 1931 1,876,271 Baily Sept. 6, 1932 2,018,294 Baily Oct. 22, 1935 2,209,656 Mall July 30, 1940 2,215,455 Abernathy et a1. Sept. 24, 1940 2,223,024 Beierlein Nov. 26, 1940 2,255,342 Baily Sept. 9, 1941 

